ODM delegates from the Western region have asked opposition leader Raila Odinga to pick Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as his 2022 running mate.
On Sunday, October 30, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito reminded former Prime Minister Raila Odinga that during a meeting of ODM members a week ago it was decided that the ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya be picked as Raila’s running mate.
Kizito said delegates from five counties of Bungoma, Busia, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, and Kakamega counties said Oparanya had been loyal to Raila since he ventured into politics for almost two decades to an extend of shelving his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in favour of his party leader.
“Apart from being a top politician in the ODM party, Oparanya has supported Raila all these years and is good enough to hold the post of Deputy President,” Kizito said.
Kizito, who was accompanied by Kakamega Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda and nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga, said Oparanya was the only leader in the western region capable of attracting all constituencies.
This comes at a time when the vote-rich Mt Kenya region has made it clear that the huge voting bloc will support a presidential candidate that will guarantee them the running mate position, eight Cabinet Secretaries as well as 40 percent state appointments.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, Nakuru Governor Lee Nikyanjui, and his Laikipia Counterpart Ndiritu Muiithi are among those being fronted to be Raila Odinga’s running mate.
According to political analysts, Raila who will be giving his fifth stab at the presidency has difficult decisions to pick his potential running mate.
“Choosing a partner is a difficult decision for Raila, especially at a time when he is beginning to gain support in Mount Kenya,
“He must also be careful to ensure that the west does not run out of space due to a large number of voters,” political analyst Martin Andati told the Daily Nation.
